Thread: The Iraq Study Group Report

I read The Iraq Study Group Report over lunch and here it is:
http://www.usip.org/isg/iraq_study_group_report/report/1206/index.html

Hi-lights

• The US should appeal to Iraq’s neighbors including Iran and Syria to help out
  • Iran’s nuclear designs should be left to the UN to handle
• The US should stabilize Israeli-Arab relations to help stabilize the Middle East
• Possibly reduce troops in Iraq but still help militarily/financially
• 3000 Iraqis die a month and violence is escalating
• The violence is largely sectarian; Al Qaeda is responsible for only a small portion of the violence
• Crime is rampant/uncontrollable
• Secure zones are few—violence precedes and follows US military peacekeeping sweeps—no stability—the lack of security compromises and devastates all aspects of Iraqi reconstruction and governance
• “Staying the course” is not an option
• Increase in troops/redeployment may be necessary
• The US will facilitate privatizing Iraq’s oil reserves

My take: I agree with Russ Feingold’s initial criticism of the commission:

FEINGOLD (12/6/06): "The fact is this [Baker-Hamilton] commission was composed apparently entirely of people who did not have the judgment to oppose this Iraq war in the first place, and did not have the judgment to realize it was not a wise move in the fight against terrorism. So that's who is doing this report."

"Then I looked at the list of who testified before them. There is virtually no one who opposed the war in the first place. Virtually no one who has been really calling for a different strategy that goes for a global approach to the war on terrorism. So this is really a Washington inside job and it shows, not in the description of what's happened—that's fairly accurate—but it shows in the recommendations."

The group’s recommendations are nothing short of “stay the course” plus diplomacy. That must irk those with the “with us or against us” mentality but diplomacy is always the best first option…unlike Bush’s use of war as first option in foreign relations.
No definite date or numbers for troop withdrawals are listed.

This Group is just a cover your ass measure. I could have done without it.

I also think James Baker is a war profiteer and walking refuse—S&L Scandal etc. http://www.hereinreality.com/baker.html but he is practical and he is intelligent: "You talk to your enemies, not just your friends,'' Baker said.
There's a lesson in that for GWB.

Originally Posted by lnvanry

I totally agree. Its just a defensive measure for ALL politicians to hide under when things get F***ed up....yes, things can still get worse, and I woudn't be suprised if they do.

On a side note...its good to live in the US.

Merry Christmas

I like your idea for a happy Christmas. If only the world could heed this lesson....a bit idealistic.